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Publisher's Summary

Psychic flashes, haunting visions, missing persons, and visits from ghosts. That's just their first date.

Jack has been getting on his parents' nerves for some time. Bad enough he's a rock musician, has crappy grades, and hangs out with his "loser" friends. But Jack's ability to predict the future - well, that just annoys the hell out of them.

Jack's classmate, Lauren, is said to have unique abilities too. The town still talks about when she kept badgering her mother about the money in their wall. For the longest time, Lauren's mother didn't listen. Finally, she did and Lauren's mother hasn't had to work since.

Jack would really like to connect with Lauren but can't figure out how. She's never looked at him twice. But when he experiences a mystifying event involving visions, voices, and spectral visits, Jack figures there's only one person to help him understand who's calling out to him and why. Before long, Jack and Lauren are off on a road trip of discovery that could provide answers to a mystery left unsolved for 20 years. More importantly, they might even unravel the greatest mystery of all - how every so often someone will accept you for who you are.

If you could sum up Streetlights Like Fireworks in three words, what would they be?

Touching, nostalgic, and fun.

What does Adam Verner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Personality to less-developed characters and a bit more real-ness to scenes that connect the dots.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yeah. The story really drew me in and I wanted to keep listening.

Any additional comments?

Rock and roll, the thrill of a new romantic relationship, the mystery of a deep connection that MUST be explored, and a road trip to cool city after cool city. David Pandolfe writes rich characters in interesting predicaments, the results of which I just HAVE to know. Loved Jack and Lauren, and their journey.

Yes! The story has so many wonderful twists and turns that even knowing the ending wouldn't ruin a second listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Streetlights Like Fireworks?

The ending, which I will keep to myself!

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending is such a wonderful surprise, but I also loved the adventure of the journey the characters go on!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Also I read it just about all in one sitting before that!

Any additional comments?

David Pandolfe is a truly fantastic author. His books are so wonderfully paced and so full of wonder that I almost always get through them in a day or so. This one might be my favorite so far... The advantage of the Audio book is that I can't rush it to find out what happens, like I do when I'm reading!

Absolutely delightful. While I figured out where the story was going early on, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey of getting there. This book is well-written and charming. The narration of the audiobook is very good and makes listening a pleasure.

The first Jack & Lauren road trip is a fun YA Psychic Mystery that I liked better after listening to the second one.

BOOK DETAILS:Streetlights Like Fireworks by David Pandolfe, read by Adam Verner, published Independently (2015) / Length: 6 hrs 46 min

SERIES INFO:This is #1 of 4 (so far) in this Streetlights series. The first 3 are available on audio. According to the author, the narrator "expects Gem [#4] to be ready by the end of June." When asked if there would be a #5, he said "Yes, regarding another book in the series. They're fun to write!"

SUMMARY:In November of 2014, I got the Kindle version of this book for free. (It is permafree, so you can pick up too if you'd like.) I read and liked it, but it wasn't an instant favorite. When the sequel, The Dragonfly Season, came out I read it and liked it enough that I was willing to accept the audiobook for review. I found that I really liked it in that format. (You can read my review here.)

So, I put the audiobook version of this one on my TBR (TBL?). And I found that I liked this one better in audio format as well. This isn't any great surprise, since this is usually the case for me, if the narrator is good. (Note: This book has a different narrator than the others.)

This is a leisurely tale that won't be for those who need constant action, but may be appreciated by those who like spending time getting to know great characters.

CHARACTERS:Jack: The unsatisfactory son of a stuffy straight-laced family. He isn't a social outcast, due to his family's status, but he doesn't have a lot of friends either. He struggles with the fact that nothing he ever does or wants to do is acceptable to his family, and everything they want him to do is something he hates. I like that, despite the fact that this is a paranormal story, Jack is just so normal.

Lauren: A social outcast who has found her circle of friends among other "gifted" people online. She takes charge and makes things happen, pushing Jack to do what needs to be done to resolve the mystery. She also serves as his guru, encouraging him to learn what he can do with his gift.

Jack & Lauren: No InstaLove (& no Love Triangle)! Jack has had a bit of a crush on Lauren for a while now, but never had the courage to approach her. The relationship develops bit by bit (although it is over a relatively short period of time).

PLOT:I think we started at the perfect point, when Jack "meets" the guitar that will change his life. In the end, the mystery of the guitar is solved and Jack & Lauren have bonded. In between, we get to visit a lot of interesting people and places as they make their way across the country.

HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:--Jack's description of LaurenI’ve always had this thing about moths. How they fly at night, beautiful spots and patterns not meant for our eyes. Everything about them intended for some other realm we might glimpse but never fully experience. Hidden. Magical. Secret. That’s Lauren to me. Jet black hair streaked with blue, green and sometimes red. Black eyeliner. Purple hoodie, gray jeans, black combat boots. A midnight rainbow.

--Jack's comments on judging people based on their appearence:"...adults peg you for being a total loser if you don’t look like you just strolled out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog. If you dress in black or do anything suggesting “goth” everyone assumes you’re mainlining heroin while bent on suicide. It doesn’t ever occur to them that maybe it’s the football team and cheerleaders sucking back beers, smoking weed and hooking up while the “freaky” kids are home on Friday night reading a book or checking out stuff on Tumblr."

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Swearing (including 2 F words, used by one character during a single conversation) / Underage drinking (although he regretted it the next day) / Illegal driving

OTHER CAUTIONS : Jack has to control his thoughts about Lauren to avoid embarrassing himself. / A briefly met character is said to have done "something" to his sister / They visit & stay with a lesbian couple who are friends of Lauren.

NARRATION:Good differentiation of voices, emoting & pacing / Speed is really good. I was able to listen on regular speed (rather than my usual 1.25 speed) / Some might find his voice a bit deep for a high schooler. / His female voices aren't feminine, but he doesn't try to fake it so they are acceptable.

This was the first book of this author that I've read. Great stand alone story. My attention was grabbed right away and I was interested. The narrator did a great job for both male and female teens. I'm definitely going to read more of this authors work.

Would you consider the audio edition of Streetlights Like Fireworks to be better than the print version?

I switched between the audio and book and found both to be exceptional.

What did you like best about this story?

I love reading YA stories, but there's was an intertwining adult story that I found particularly appealing. What we were as kids, what we expect to become, how time changes that for good and bad. And there are ghosts - bonus!

What does Adam Verner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The ability to continue the story when I can't keep reading (like any audio) but esp important here because I didn't want to put the book down. But particular to Verner - excellent dialogue differentiated well from internal thoughts, and a pleasant, even narration for the rest.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend the book and narration. I've recommended the purchase to friends and am planning to loan out my own ebook version.

This is a unique story about observing the world around you and trusting your instincts. I liked the beginning and the end the best, but overall, I enjoyed the story very much. It's unique and cute and the narrator is on point.